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Harvard Graduate Student Optimistic on Cambodia’s Healthcare System

22 February 2014

Sothearith Im

VOA Khmer

Ly Seav Huong, a doctoral student in biomedical science at Harvard University, told VOA Khmer’s “New Voices” that an increasing number of students studying inside and outside the country will soon bring their expertise to bear on Cambodian healthcare.

WASHINGTON DC —
Cambodia’s healthcare system will improve as more Cambodians graduate from universities overseas to bring their educations back with them, a Harvard medical student says.

Ly Seav Huong, a doctoral student in biomedical science at Harvard University, told VOA Khmer’s “New Voices” that an increasing number of students studying inside and outside the country will soon bring their expertise to bear on Cambodian healthcare.

“At least my friends and I who have come to study here are willing to go back and help our country,” she said.

Many Cambodian graduate students in the US seek work in the States after graduating. But Ly Seav Huong said she has never considered that option. Her education in biomedical science will help Cambodia, she said.

“Biomedicine helps physicians find viruses, bacteria and new treatments based on research findings, which improves human health,” she said.

Recent graduates also say that Cambodia needs to invest in more education and research for its healthcare fields.

Heng Vibol, a recent biochemistry and biophysics graduate at Yale University, told “Hello VOA” that the Royal University of Medical Science in Cambodia needs to encourage more medical research.

“In the US, in addition to studying theory, they train students to conduct medical research, which yields new discoveries and new treatments,” he said.

Ly Seav Huong said she believes the Ministry of Education could also publish higher quality text books, so that students have access to them when needed. Cambodia lacks such textbooks, as well as qualified teachers and resource centers, she said.